THE EVENT COMICS ARCHIVE
"From the ashes of destruction, a hero rises!"
"Click the tabs above to explore ASH, 22 Brides, Painkiller Jane, and the complete Event Comics universe!"
"The original ASH series (1994-1996) that started it all! Issues #1-6 plus the essential origin story in #0. Created by Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti, introducing firefighter Ashley Quinn's transformation into a fire-powered hero!"
"ASH: Cinder & Smoke (1997) - Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn bring a darker, more mature vision with art by Humberto Ramos! Six-issue prestige format series featuring three new villains: Cinder, Smoke, and Molotov."
"The mystical and final chapters of ASH! The Fire Within (1996-1997) explored the spiritual aspects of Ashley's powers, while Fire and Crossfire (1999) provided the series' conclusion."
"ASH crossed company lines! Epic team-ups with DC Comics' Azrael, Image Comics' Cyberforce, and Event's own 22 Brides showcased Event Comics' industry credibility!"
"Ancient warrior brides resurrected to fight evil across time!"
"Event Comics' most enduring character - she feels pain but cannot die!"
"Expanding the Event Comics universe!"
"Covers, sketches, flyers, and collectibles!"
Born: January 12, 1962, New York City, Queens (Jackson Heights)
Early Career (1990-1994): Joseph Quesada began his professional comics career in 1990 after graduating from the School of Visual Arts with a BFA in illustration. His earliest work was at DC Comics, starting with Spelljammers, followed by significant contributions including co-creating an updated version of The Ray with Jack C. Harris and the landmark Batman: Sword of Azrael miniseries with Dennis O'Neil, introducing the character Azrael who would later become Batman during the Knightfall storyline. His dynamic, detailed art style quickly gained recognition, winning the Harvey Award for Best New Talent in 1992.
Valiant Comics Era: Quesada's work at Valiant Comics on titles like Ninjak, Solar: Man of the Atom, and X-O Manowar established him as one of the premier artists of the early 1990s. His covers and interior work were heavily influenced by Alex Toth, Mike Mignola, and Alphonse Mucha, creating a distinctive style that blended dynamic action with art nouveau sensibilities.
Event Comics (1994-1999) - The Defining Chapter: In 1994, Quesada and his long-time inking partner Jimmy Palmiotti founded Event Comics after plotting out their vision during two weeks in Key West, Florida. As co-founder, publisher, editor, and primary artist, Quesada co-created ASH - a firefighter with superpowers - which became Event's flagship title. The company's success was built on creator-owned properties and innovative storytelling. Quesada credits this experience as crucial preparation for his later role as Marvel's Editor-in-Chief, as he learned editorial management, creator relationships, and business operations. Event Comics survived the 1990s speculator crash and published acclaimed titles including Painkiller Jane, 22 Brides, and others, demonstrating that independent, creator-owned comics could compete with major publishers.
Marvel Knights & Saving Marvel (1998-2000): In 1998, Marvel Comics - freshly emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy - contracted Quesada and Palmiotti to create the Marvel Knights imprint. As editor, Quesada revitalized low-profile characters like Daredevil, Punisher, Black Panther, and The Inhumans by bringing in talented creators from the independent comics world including Brian Michael Bendis, Garth Ennis, Steve Dillon, David Mack, and Mike Oeming. Quesada also illustrated Kevin Smith's acclaimed Daredevil run. The initiative's success was instrumental in Marvel's recovery.
Marvel Editor-in-Chief (2000-2011): In August 2000, Quesada became Marvel's Editor-in-Chief, a position he would hold for 11 years - the longest tenure except for Stan Lee. Working alongside President Bill Jemas, Quesada implemented transformative changes: reversing Bob Harras's renumbering policy by restoring original issue numbers for flagship titles when they reached milestone numbers; creating successful imprints including the Ultimate line (with Bendis and Mark Millar) to attract new readers without decades of continuity, Marvel MAX for adult content, and continuing Marvel Knights; emphasizing trade paperback collections and bookstore distribution, helping grow the graphic novel market from 20% to over 60% of comics sales; and launching interconnected event-driven storytelling with crossovers like Avengers Disassembled, House of M, Civil War, and Secret Invasion.
Chief Creative Officer (2010-2022): In June 2010, Quesada was promoted to Chief Creative Officer of Marvel Entertainment while Axel Alonso took over as Editor-in-Chief in January 2011. As CCO, Quesada ensured Marvel's characters remained true to their essence across all media - comics, films, television, and games. He served as executive producer on numerous Marvel Television projects including Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Punisher, and The Defenders for Netflix. In October 2019, his position was retitled Executive Vice President and Creative Director for Marvel Entertainment following Marvel Studios' reorganization under Kevin Feige.
Post-Marvel (2022-Present): On May 31, 2022, Quesada announced his departure from Marvel after 22 years, quoting T.S. Eliot's "Little Gidding" about new explorations. He reportedly signed a first-look deal with Amazon Studios to develop comic book adaptations for film and television. In 2024, he was announced as head of Amazing Comics, a new partnership between American company Mad Cave Studios and Belgian publisher Dupuis.
Legacy: Joe Quesada's impact on comics is immeasurable. He helped save Marvel from bankruptcy, revolutionized how comics are collected and sold, mentored a generation of creators, and ensured Marvel's characters successfully transitioned to become the dominant force in popular culture through the MCU.
Early Life & Career Start: Born and raised in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York, Jimmy Palmiotti grew up surrounded by comics thanks to his two older brothers. His mother was a particularly strong influence - a powerful woman who worked in factories from third grade onward during the Depression, raising ten children as a widow. This upbringing around strong women would later influence his creation of powerful female characters.
Breaking into Comics (Late 1980s-Early 1990s): Palmiotti began his professional career in the late 1980s, initially working as an inker for Marvel Comics on titles including Ghost Rider, The Punisher, and The Nam. His exceptional inking skills quickly made him a sought-after talent. It was during this period that he began his long-running creative partnership with penciler Joe Quesada, a collaboration that would reshape the comics industry.
Event Comics Era (1994-1999) - Building an Empire: In 1994, Palmiotti and Quesada co-founded Event Comics, with Palmiotti serving as co-publisher, editor, and primary inker. The company's origin story is now legendary: Palmiotti came up with the concept for ASH while in the shower at a Chicago hotel. He emerged from the bathroom (fully dressed!) and pitched the firefighter superhero concept to Quesada. They spent two weeks in Key West, Florida developing the idea into Event Comics' flagship title. Palmiotti co-created numerous Event titles including ASH (firefighter with superpowers), Painkiller Jane (near-indestructible vigilante who became the company's breakout star), 22 Brides (ancient warrior women), Kid Death & Fluffy, and others. As editor, Palmiotti learned crucial business and creative management skills that would serve him throughout his career.
Marvel Knights Revolution (1998-1999): When Marvel contracted Event Comics to create the Marvel Knights imprint in 1998, Palmiotti co-founded and helped run the initiative alongside Quesada. They brought in independent creators and revitalized characters like Daredevil and Black Panther - work that later inspired the Netflix series and MCU films. This success led directly to Quesada becoming Marvel's Editor-in-Chief in 2000.
DC Comics & Mainstream Success (2000s-2010s): Palmiotti established himself as a major writer at DC Comics, often collaborating with Justin Gray. Notable runs include an acclaimed and lengthy run on Jonah Hex that redefined the character for modern audiences; All-Star Western bringing Jonah Hex to Gotham City; Hawkman revitalizing the winged hero; and with his wife Amanda Conner, a transformative run on Harley Quinn (2013-2018) that revolutionized the character, dramatically increased her popularity and sales, and established the humorous, fourth-wall-breaking personality that defines Harley today. He also created and wrote Power Girl with Conner and Gray, and Terra with Conner.
PaperFilms & Creator-Owned Work: Palmiotti co-founded PaperFilms, a multimedia entertainment company, with his wife Amanda Conner and Justin Gray. Through PaperFilms they've created original properties including The Monolith (optioned by Lionsgate in 2016), The Pro (with Garth Ennis and Amanda Conner, optioned by Paramount Pictures with Zoe McCarthy writing the screenplay), Back to Brooklyn, Sex & Violence, The Big Con Job, and continued publishing Painkiller Jane, with Jessica Chastain's Freckle Films and Lotus Entertainment optioning the character in 2016 for film development with Chastain set to star.
Beyond Comics: Palmiotti's talents extend across media. He co-founded TRIOentertainment in 2016 with actress Kristanna Loken and Jonathan Bates for film and TV development. He's worked in video game development contributing to titles like Injustice: Gods Among Us. The Painkiller Jane TV series aired on Syfy Channel. He hosted the podcast "Listen to Jimmy" with Monster Mike Campbell discussing comics and pop culture. His work has appeared in mainstream media and influenced major film and television adaptations.
Personal Life: Palmiotti is married to acclaimed artist Amanda Conner, his frequent collaborator. They live in Florida (which Palmiotti calls "the sixth borough of New York") and continue creating together through PaperFilms.
Legacy & Continuing Work: Palmiotti remains one of the most prolific and versatile creators in comics, known for his strong female characters, genre-spanning work from westerns to superheroes to horror, successful creator-owned properties, and mentorship of new talent. While Painkiller Jane continues through various publishers, ASH remains dormant despite film rights being sold to DreamWorks. Palmiotti has expressed interest in returning to Event Comics properties if the right opportunity arises, noting he and Amanda have "a notebook of about 100 more ideas" for Harley Quinn alone, hoping for more involvement in multimedia adaptations of characters they've developed.
"Keep the flame burning! Long live ASH and Event Comics!"